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CySPri Lab at UNSW within the Faculty of Engineering focusses on computer and communication security research. This lab conducts research funded via government, such as ARC, and collaborates with a number of industry partners.

Cybersecurity is the body of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect networks, computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access. In a computing context, the term security implies cybersecurity. Ensuring cybersecurity requires coordinated efforts throughout an information system. Elements of cybersecurity include:

Application security

Information security

Network security

Disaster recovery/business continuity planning

End-user education.

A broad aim of the CySPri Lab is to conduct leading edge research focused on systems aspect of CyberSecurity, PRivacy and trust (software, hardware and networking) to be benefit of end users and organisations. The lab will also foster strong collaboration between UNSW, industry and Government, disseminating local and international research on ICT systems security, privacy, and trustworthiness to the Australian community, including industry, government, and the research sector.

A successful bid for a new cooperative research centre (CRC) will put UNSW Engineering at the forefront of Australia’s cyber security future.

UNSW Sydney is a founding member of the newly-announced Cyber Security CRC, which recently received $50 million in government funding and almost $90 million in cash and in-kind industry contributions to build Australia’s cybersecurity capabilities. UNSW is expected to receive $11.5 million in funding support over seven years.

“The CRC is very industry-driven – we’re focused on solving real problems for Australian community, industry, and government,” he says.

“It will be truly collaborative and cooperative project between the universities and the industry partners. The expectation is to have very high degree of collaboration and a tight timeline and target to deliver.”

Research within the CRC will be divided into two key themes: Critical Infrastructure Protection, which will deliver new solutions to safeguard key infrastructure like energy, water and financial systems; and Cyber Security Solutions as a Service, which is focused on the development of cybersecurity frameworks that allow business to be conducted in a safe and secure manner.

The CRC is very industry-driven – we’re focused on solving real problems for Australian community, industry and government.

Professor Sanjay Jha

Within these streams, researchers will work on a range of issues that are critical to the ongoing security of Australia systems and services, including configuration management of the Internet of Things, next-generation authentication technologies, data privacy, and blockchain security.

“Usable security will be a key feature of our work. You can create the most secure technology, but if it’s not usable then security doesn’t work. So I think the research will be very much user-inspired in this case, as opposed to purely academic,” Jha says.

The CRC is comprised of six universities and research institutes, eight industry organisations and nine government agencies. Jha will lead UNSW’s contribution, which brings together a multi-disciplinary team from across the Faculties of Engineering, Business and UNSW Canberra.

“With our participation in CyberCRC, D2D CRC, security education, and research funding form CBA, along with our partnership with Data61 and DSTG, the future of cybersecurity research at UNSW is looking very promising.”